A restaurant owner has threatened legal action against a city worker who posted a vitriolic one-star review of her meal.
Vikki Wood has been backed by chefs across the country as she announced she would be pursuing damages from the disgruntled diner.
Vikki – who owns the highly rated Wee Restaurants in Fife and Edinburgh with chef husband Craig – said: “This needs to be stamped out in the industry.”
She said: “How can people be allowed to put completely harmful c**p on social media? This time I mean it. I’ve contacted my lawyer. It cannot be allowed.”
The furious restaurant owner said she had documentary evidence which proved the claims made by diner Cristina Ameneiro were false and defamatory.
Ms Ameneiro, an Emerging Markets Equity Associate with Citi Group, was dining at the Edinburgh branch with two friends when she ordered two seafood dishes.
She subsequently posted: “I can barely describe the utter disappointment and unpleasant experience we had at Wee.
“We ordered starters and mains and then suddenly the nightmare started.”
After complaints about the dishes, she said: “Obviously no-one with some common sense, self-preservation instincts and culinary experience would dare to eat such garbage.
“One would expect the restaurant manager to profoundly apologise.”
Stating she was worried about food poisoning, she signed off the rant: “Specially corrupt and mismanaged place.”
Vikki, 46, hit back at Ms Ameneiro on Twitter and said: “Everything you said is an out and out lie. The seafood was delivered that morning.
“It was completely fresh and at no point were you at risk of food poisoning. We served that dish to over 100 people in both restaurants that day.
“Not one person complained or has been sick. We have proof of delivery from our superior seafood supplier.
“You were very rude. Clapping when you left. We are an award-winning restaurant with greatly trained staff.
“Some people are just plain rude and shouldn’t be allowed out to eat in public. You madam are a disgrace. You will be hearing from our lawyers very soon.”
Ms Ameneiro replied with a lawyer’s letter, which stated that she had removed the review from online sites less than a day after posting it.
Brett Wilson solicitors said: “The threat of libel proceedings seems entirely improper and if a claim is brought it will be defended robustly.
“Given that the legal proceedings are contemplated, it would be inappropriate for our client to say much at this stage about the dispute.
“She was disappointed with the service she received at the restaurant and published an online review in good faith. Our client disputes allegations attributed to her.”